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'Brexit's not a game' warning after 'constructive talks' Brexit: Donald Tusk warns over 'slow pace' of talks
(about 4 hours later)
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that "Brexit is not a game" after being asked whose court he thought "the ball is in". The green light to begin talks about a post-Brexit trade deal won't come until December at the earliest, the European Council president has suggested.
He was speaking to the BBC after a "good" and "constructive" working lunch with the UK's Brexit Secretary David Davis as negotiations continue. Donald Tusk warned that if the current "slow pace" of negotiations continues the UK and the EU "will have to think about where we are heading".
Next week EU leaders decide if enough progress has been made to move talks on to the UK's future trade relations. The UK has been hoping EU leaders will decide next week that enough progress has been made to open trade talks.
Brexit Secretary David Davis is in Brussels as negotiations continue.
He held a working lunch with EU lead negotiator Michel Barnier, which the French politician said had been "good" and "constructive".
Downing Street said progress was being made "and we look forward to that progress continuing".
The UK is hoping the EU will agree to move on from the initial phase of talks, covering the financial settlement, Northern Ireland and citizens' rights, to discussing future issues like trade.
A decision on whether to agree this will be taken at a European Council summit on 19 October.
But Mr Tusk all but ruled this out in a speech in Brussels, saying: "We are negotiating in good faith, and we still hope that the so-called 'sufficient progress' will be possible by December.
"However, if it turns out that the talks continue at a slow pace, and that `sufficient progress' hasn't been reached, then - together with our UK friends - we will have to think about where we are heading."
The UK is set to leave the European Union at the end of March 2019.The UK is set to leave the European Union at the end of March 2019.
Both EU and UK teams have said the ball is in the other side's court this week - implying that it is the other side that has to make the next concession.Both EU and UK teams have said the ball is in the other side's court this week - implying that it is the other side that has to make the next concession.
This week's talks came as ministers sought to ease disquiet among Brexit-backing MPs about the UK's strategy for a two year "transition" period between being a full EU member and the UK's eventual post-Brexit relations with the EU. Asked by the BBC whose court he thought "the ball is in", Mr Barnier warned that "Brexit is not a game".
'No deal' planning
This week's fifth round of talks came as ministers sought to ease disquiet among Brexit-backing MPs about the UK's strategy for a two year "transition" period between being a full EU member and the UK's eventual post-Brexit relations with the EU.
Downing Street said it wanted the process to be "as smooth as possible".Downing Street said it wanted the process to be "as smooth as possible".
After Theresa May briefed her cabinet on Tuesday, a No 10 spokesman said the government hoped to negotiate a deal with the EU on the terms of exit but was prepared for all eventualities - a reference to what some believe is the growing likelihood of a "no deal" scenario. After Mrs May briefed her cabinet on Tuesday, a No 10 spokesman said the government hoped to negotiate a deal with the EU on the terms of exit but was prepared for all eventualities - a reference to what some believe is the growing likelihood of a "no deal" scenario.
On Monday the PM told MPs "real and tangible" progress had been made in negotiations so far. Mr Tusk said the EU side was not preparing for such a scenario.
But the EU has signalled it is not prepared to agree to move on from the initial phase of talks, covering the financial settlement, Northern Ireland and citizens' rights.
The final decision on this will be taken at a European Council summit on 19 October, with the UK keen to move on to discussing what its future relationship with the EU will look like.
Taking questions from MPs on Monday, Mrs May also confirmed that the UK could remain subject to the rulings of the European Court of Justice during a planned two-year transition period after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.Taking questions from MPs on Monday, Mrs May also confirmed that the UK could remain subject to the rulings of the European Court of Justice during a planned two-year transition period after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.
This was criticised by some pro-Leave campaigners, with backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg telling the BBC he was "troubled" by the PM's statement.This was criticised by some pro-Leave campaigners, with backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg telling the BBC he was "troubled" by the PM's statement.
"If we're remaining under the jurisdiction of the ECJ then we haven't left the European Union or the date of departure is being delayed," he said."If we're remaining under the jurisdiction of the ECJ then we haven't left the European Union or the date of departure is being delayed," he said.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove - two key figures in last year's Leave campaign - both issued statements backing Mrs May's comments.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove - two key figures in last year's Leave campaign - both issued statements backing Mrs May's comments.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said their intervention underlined the government's nervousness about the reaction of Tory Brexiteers over the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - which for many of them is a "red line".BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said their intervention underlined the government's nervousness about the reaction of Tory Brexiteers over the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - which for many of them is a "red line".
Mr Johnson, who has been accused of undermining the PM with his recent interventions on Brexit strategy, issued a statement backing her "powerful vision".Mr Johnson, who has been accused of undermining the PM with his recent interventions on Brexit strategy, issued a statement backing her "powerful vision".
On Twitter, Environment Secretary Mr Gove said: "Strong statement from PM on Brexit - let's be pragmatic over implementation to secure maximum freedom to diverge from EU in end state."On Twitter, Environment Secretary Mr Gove said: "Strong statement from PM on Brexit - let's be pragmatic over implementation to secure maximum freedom to diverge from EU in end state."
Asked on Tuesday about the role of the ECJ during a transitional phase, No 10 said business should only have to adjust to one set of changes following the UK's departure.Asked on Tuesday about the role of the ECJ during a transitional phase, No 10 said business should only have to adjust to one set of changes following the UK's departure.
But it reiterated the PM's hope that a new dispute resolution system could be devised as quickly as possible to assume the ECJ's functions and settle the matter once and for all.But it reiterated the PM's hope that a new dispute resolution system could be devised as quickly as possible to assume the ECJ's functions and settle the matter once and for all.